Insights into the world of divorce and family law matters

April 28, 2008

Divorce, pet style - ‘We Can’t Stay Together for the Dogs’

With Florida having one of the nation’s highest divorce rates, it’s
not surprising that pets are part of custody battles all over the place.

Who gets the dog? How do you decide, and what issues should you take into consideration?

A lot of us have known friends going through this situation and
sometimes the result has been that the pet loses its home. And that’s
not good.

Luckily, if you’re going through that problem now (my heart goes out
to you - it’s rotten for everyone), there’s some good advice by someone
who’s been there, author Jennifer Keene, writing in “We Can’t Stay
Together for the Dogs.”

Just out by TFH books ($22.95),
which only publishes books about animals, it’s a well-researched and
written book with info on custody issues/arrangements and how to live
single again with a dog.

Keene is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer and owns Pup-A-Razzi, a
training business in Beaverton, OR. She lives with two dogs and has
visitation rights for a third.

“As you decide who your dog will live with, level of commitment to
the dog (and his special needs) must factor in significantly,” says
Keene in her book.

Think about safe handling, commitment to training (would one of you
do that, the other one isn’t interested?) and patience, among other
things.

Keene talks about the reaction from family and friends and how to handle it. I don’t think she’s left much out in this book.

It would be a great gift for someone in this touchy situation. And
there is good advice for those who think they need to stay together for
the dogs. Don’t do that — nobody wins that way — but read this book as
you go down that path.